Here is today's summary of economic development news, a free service of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, representing Alabama's private sector investment in economic development. If you enjoy NewsFlash, thank an
EDPA Partner.

Linda McMahon, who heads the Trump cabinet's U.S. Small Business Administration, will be in Birmingham today touring Motus Motorcycles as part of her "Ignite" tour.

The trip is described as a nationwide focus on small businesses, listening to owners, and highlighting the SBA's services offering access to capital, mentoring and federal contracting.

McMahon's stop in Alabama, officials say, was inspired by the fact that 99 percent of the businesses are small. Yet they employ more than 48 percent of Alabama's workforce, with 388,000 small businesses providing more than 772,000 jobs.

Against the backdrop of an impressive list of positive economic development news occurring recently in the Shoals region is the largely unheralded efforts of a regional partnership known as the Shoals Alabama Launchpad.

As news stories the past six months trumpeted the economic benefits of the construction of a new hospital, and developments spawned by the streetscaping along Tennessee Street in downtown Florence, Launchpad supporters were busy laying the groundwork for the second annual Shoals Innovative Week.

For those unfamiliar with this undertaking, Shoals Innovative Week is designed to highlight the leading-edge ideas of the up-and-coming small business entrepreneurs in the region.

MOBILE, Alabama - The Airbus Alabama manufacturing facility is in line for 600 new jobs, thanks to a planned second assembly line for the Bombardier C Series jetliner and a possible increase in the production of A320 Family aircraft.

On Tuesday at Airbus' Mobile facility, high-ranking executives of
Airbus and
Bombardier gave the first detailed briefing on their plans for a production ramp-up that would bring the C Series to Alabama.

For that to happen, though, antitrust regulators must give their approval for Canada-based Bombardier to produce the aircraft in Alabama.

The city of Opelika is preparing for two business expansions, according to the
Opelika-Auburn News.

Auto supplier
Mando America Corp. will be investing more than $10 million in building expansion and new machinery. And vitamin, mineral and supplement maker
Pharmavite will invest $5.6 million for expansion.

Together, the expansions are expected to create nearly 30 jobs, the paper reported.

Mobile is gaining direct flights to Orlando this spring -- and later in the year may see that connection shift from Mobile Regional Airport to the Mobile Downtown Airport at Brookley.

"Service will begin in May at the regional airport," Mobile Airport Authority Executive Director Chris Curry said at
a Wednesday morning announcement. "However, we expect to receive a Letter of Intent sometime in the near future to eventually transition to Downtown Airport at Brookley later this year."

"We are committed that when the Downtown Airport is ready, we'll be the first carrier" to operate from the site, Matthew Macri, director of operations for new-to-Mobile carrier ViaAir.

Birmingham, Ala., Feb. 22 - The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama announces today the appointment of Ernie Cowart as Vice President for EDPA.

His appointment was approved Tuesday by the EDPA Board of Directors.

Ernie Cowart

Cowart joined EDPA in 2000, serving most recently as Director of Business Information. He has more than 20 years of experience in economic development.

He has worked EDPA's core business areas, including business information, recruitment, community planning and existing industry.

Cowart works with state agencies, regional partners, utility companies and local economic development organizations on recruitment and expansion projects.

"His vast economic development experience, leadership and diverse skillset will help us continue to strengthen EDPA's mission to attract, retain and grow jobs in Alabama, while encouraging innovation through our Alabama Launchpad program," said EDPA President Steve Spencer.

Cowart has a bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama and a master's in economic development from the University of Southern Mississippi. He also earned the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council and serves on the board of Main Street Alabama.

Cowart and his wife, Lydia, are the parents of two children, son, Hugh, 14, and daughter, Sarah Beth, 13

Register today for the 2018 Southern Automotive Quality Summit!

The annual Southern Automotive Quality Summit,
a unique collaboration between the Alabama Automotive Manufacturer's Association (AAMA) and the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), will be held March 15 at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel.

The theme of the 2018 event is "Quality Tools to Support your IATF 16949 Transition" and will feature industry experts and local suppliers sharing lessons learned during their application of the industry's quality tools and international quality management system standards.